Market plan maps out 21st-century upgrades to Seattle landmark
Fresh from celebrating Pike Place Market’s 100th birthday, Market officials have taken a first step in promoting a $70 million to $100 million investment in projects they believe are necessary to sustain the Seattle landmark into its second century.
Officials on Wednesday presented a proposed master plan to a group of Market tenants, residents and property owners, asking what they like in the plan - and also what they don’t.
Early next year, officials will submit a wish list to Mayor Greg Nickels, whose goal is to have a Market levy on the November 2008 ballot. The levy could be bundled with a measure to revamp Seattle Center.
About 80 percent of Market levy money would be spent on projects a visitor wouldn’t readily notice, such as seismic upgrades and modernizing out-of-date electrical, heating, plumbing and ventilation systems. Other projects would be done with visitor relief in mind, such as three new bathrooms (as many as 28 new toilets) and up to four new elevators.
“It’s been 30-plus years since any comprehensive upkeep has been done at the Market,” said James Haydu, marketing director for the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority, which manages the 23-building, nine-acre site.
“Our intent is to bring the Market’s old mechanical systems into the 21st century with the guiding light being the historic integrity of Pike Place and the needs of our tenants and residents.”
The master plan proposes a new elevator in the area of the Pike Street Hillclimb to carry passengers between Western Avenue, the DownUnder and the main arcade.
Preliminary architectural drawings add a new vertical “Market” sign along the face of the elevator, similar in design to the famous “Public Market Center” sign. Haydu said the elevator would better connect the Market to the waterfront and the sign to make it look more attractive - not to create a new primary entrance.
The levy also would set aside an undetermined amount of money to shore up the heavily used floor of the main arcade where, in some areas, wood subflooring is rotting out beneath a layer of cracking tile. It is uncertain what a new floor would mean for the future of the 45,000 or so personalized floor tiles there now.
“Somewhere down the line, the tile issue will have to be addressed,” Haydu said. “We are looking at every option possible.”
Although he did not divulge specifics, options likely range from preservation to removal. This year, the Market stopped replacing damaged personalized tiles.
Other proposals include: terraces along the Pike Street Hillclimb; reconfiguring and adding retail space to the Economy Market atrium; and a sidewalk on the western side of Pike Place - the main road through the Market.
Stuart Eskenazi: 206-464-2293 or seskenazi@seattletimes.com